PathWays PA E-Newsletter: February 7, 2011
State Policy Update
HB 42 WOULD WOULD LEAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNINSURED PENNSYLVANIANS BEHIND
Today the House Health Committee will be voting on HB 42, a bill that would prohibit Pennsylvania from implementing a key part of the federal Affordable Care Act. HB 42 prohibits implementation of health care reform based on the individual mandate of the new law.
It's critically important that legislators hear from us about this bill. Below are just some of the things Pennsylvania will miss out on if health care reform is repealed:
Federal Policy Update
WOMEN AND HEALTH REFORM
Last week, the Senate voted down a bill that would have repealed health care reform. Despite this victory for reform, the House is now considering another bill, H.R. 3, that would radically restrict access to an abortion, make abortion coverage harder to get in the private insurance market and narrow the already tightly limited exceptions allowed under current funding restrictions.
Current law allows coverage of abortion for women in the Medicaid program only when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or when it is necessary to save the woman's life. H.R. 3 would not allow abortion coverage to protect a woman whose pregnancy might make a chronic health condition, like heart disease, worse. It would also deny abortion care for a woman when her fetus has a condition that makes it unlikely to survive. And it could even allow public hospitals to refuse to treat a woman with serious pregnancy complications who needs an abortion to protect her life or health.
Congress is considering H.R. 3 now - contact your Representative now to oppose this attack on women and health reform!
SIGN A STATEMENT TO SAVE SERVICES
Federal programs and services which foster economic progress and provide much-needed protection for low- and moderate-income individuals face severe threats in this Congress. Elected officials have proposed deep cuts to education, housing, and other vital domestic programs. The new House leadership is expected to cut domestic programs by about 20 percent in 2011.
The threats are real, but we can successfully oppose these cuts if we all work together to demonstrate the value of and need for these services. The Coalition on Human Needs has launched the Strengthening America's Values and Economy For All Campaign - an initiative to SAVE low- and moderate-income people from loss of economic security due to threatened severe cuts in federal funding, and to SAVE the federal capacity to spur economic recovery and progress for the benefit of all.
If your organization would like to join in the efforts please sign the SAVE For All statement of principles. Advocacy groups, service providers, faith-based organizations, labor, policy, and civil rights groups are all urged to sign. The deadline for signing is February 16.
Information/Events
HELP SUPPORT EARNED SICK TIME IN PHILADELPHIA
Did you know that 41% of workers in Philadelphia are forced to choose between going to work sick, or sending a child to school sick, or losing their pay or possibly their job? The majority of workers without paid sick days are those preparing and serving our food and caring for our children.
Philadelphia's City Council has the opportunity to ensure that all workers in the city have access to earn paid sick days. Please urge your members of City Council to support workers their families and their communities, by supporting the Promoting Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Bill No. 080474).
Workers should have the opportunity to earn a minimum amount of paid time. Please take a few moments to write a letter to your members of City Council. For more information visit the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces Blog.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
For 22 years, NASI's internship program has focused on developing young leaders in the social insurance field. This year they will have places for 18 to 21 summer interns.
Think about the talented young people you know-students, mentees, friends, interns, and relatives-and encourage them to apply for an exciting summer in Washington, DC.
NASI's internship programs --The Washington Internship on Social Insurance, The Somers Aging and Long-Term Care Internship, The Nathan J. Stark Internship for Non-Profit Development, and The Eileen Sweeney Graduate Internship in Disability Policy - offer a wide array of opportunities and a $3,500 stipend.
Descriptions of the programs and the online application form are available on the individual internship pages and on NASI's Internship Opportunities page.
Visit NASI's Internship Opportunities page for additional information on their internship programs and how to apply. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2011. If you have any questions, feel free to call NASI at 202-452-8097 or email NASI at internships@nasi.org.
Special PathWays PA Information/Events
FINANCIAL PATH$
Financial Path$, a new program from PathWays PA, helps individuals and families build paths toward economic self-sufficiency through financial education, asset building and economic empowerment. This program provides one-on-one financial counseling and financial education workshops. Financial Path$ is committed to assisting everyone carve their path to self-sufficiency.
If you or your clients would be interested in learning more about this program please contact wrahemtulla@pathwayspa.org.
For more information become Financial Path$ friend on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Stay turned as we will also be launching a blog very soon!
FREE TAX PREPARATION
PathWays PA offers FREE certified tax preparation at our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Free tax preparation is for taxpayers with an annual gross household income less than $50,000.
Keep your full refund and save your money:
Locations:
Call 610-543-5022 or 1-800-209-2914 to schedule your FREE tax appointment today!
PATHWAYS PA OFFERS ENGLISH LANGUAGE/CIVICS COURSES
PathWays PA is offering a course meant for those interested in learning and improving their English while also covering:
WHEN: Mondays & Wednesdays - 9:30 - 12:00 OR Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 - 7:30
WHERE: Darby Borough Hall, 821 Summit Street, Darby PA
For more information about the class, please contact Kelly Binder at 610-543-5022 X 227 or kbinder@pathwayspa.org.
HB 42 WOULD WOULD LEAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNINSURED PENNSYLVANIANS BEHIND
Today the House Health Committee will be voting on HB 42, a bill that would prohibit Pennsylvania from implementing a key part of the federal Affordable Care Act. HB 42 prohibits implementation of health care reform based on the individual mandate of the new law.
It's critically important that legislators hear from us about this bill. Below are just some of the things Pennsylvania will miss out on if health care reform is repealed:
- Over 2 million people with pre-existing conditions will no longer protected from discrimination
- 2.2 million seniors who receive free preventive care and other benefits from Medicare through the Affordable Care Act will have their benefits put at risk
- Nearly 180,000 small businesses will not receive tax breaks
- Over 32,000 young adults will no longer be able to stay on their parent's plan
Federal Policy Update
WOMEN AND HEALTH REFORM Last week, the Senate voted down a bill that would have repealed health care reform. Despite this victory for reform, the House is now considering another bill, H.R. 3, that would radically restrict access to an abortion, make abortion coverage harder to get in the private insurance market and narrow the already tightly limited exceptions allowed under current funding restrictions.
Current law allows coverage of abortion for women in the Medicaid program only when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or when it is necessary to save the woman's life. H.R. 3 would not allow abortion coverage to protect a woman whose pregnancy might make a chronic health condition, like heart disease, worse. It would also deny abortion care for a woman when her fetus has a condition that makes it unlikely to survive. And it could even allow public hospitals to refuse to treat a woman with serious pregnancy complications who needs an abortion to protect her life or health.
Congress is considering H.R. 3 now - contact your Representative now to oppose this attack on women and health reform!
SIGN A STATEMENT TO SAVE SERVICES
Federal programs and services which foster economic progress and provide much-needed protection for low- and moderate-income individuals face severe threats in this Congress. Elected officials have proposed deep cuts to education, housing, and other vital domestic programs. The new House leadership is expected to cut domestic programs by about 20 percent in 2011.
The threats are real, but we can successfully oppose these cuts if we all work together to demonstrate the value of and need for these services. The Coalition on Human Needs has launched the Strengthening America's Values and Economy For All Campaign - an initiative to SAVE low- and moderate-income people from loss of economic security due to threatened severe cuts in federal funding, and to SAVE the federal capacity to spur economic recovery and progress for the benefit of all.
If your organization would like to join in the efforts please sign the SAVE For All statement of principles. Advocacy groups, service providers, faith-based organizations, labor, policy, and civil rights groups are all urged to sign. The deadline for signing is February 16.
Information/Events
Did you know that 41% of workers in Philadelphia are forced to choose between going to work sick, or sending a child to school sick, or losing their pay or possibly their job? The majority of workers without paid sick days are those preparing and serving our food and caring for our children.
Philadelphia's City Council has the opportunity to ensure that all workers in the city have access to earn paid sick days. Please urge your members of City Council to support workers their families and their communities, by supporting the Promoting Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Bill No. 080474).
Workers should have the opportunity to earn a minimum amount of paid time. Please take a few moments to write a letter to your members of City Council. For more information visit the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces Blog.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY For 22 years, NASI's internship program has focused on developing young leaders in the social insurance field. This year they will have places for 18 to 21 summer interns.
Think about the talented young people you know-students, mentees, friends, interns, and relatives-and encourage them to apply for an exciting summer in Washington, DC.
NASI's internship programs --The Washington Internship on Social Insurance, The Somers Aging and Long-Term Care Internship, The Nathan J. Stark Internship for Non-Profit Development, and The Eileen Sweeney Graduate Internship in Disability Policy - offer a wide array of opportunities and a $3,500 stipend.
Descriptions of the programs and the online application form are available on the individual internship pages and on NASI's Internship Opportunities page.
Visit NASI's Internship Opportunities page for additional information on their internship programs and how to apply. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2011. If you have any questions, feel free to call NASI at 202-452-8097 or email NASI at internships@nasi.org.
FINANCIAL PATH$
Financial Path$, a new program from PathWays PA, helps individuals and families build paths toward economic self-sufficiency through financial education, asset building and economic empowerment. This program provides one-on-one financial counseling and financial education workshops. Financial Path$ is committed to assisting everyone carve their path to self-sufficiency.
If you or your clients would be interested in learning more about this program please contact wrahemtulla@pathwayspa.org.
For more information become Financial Path$ friend on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Stay turned as we will also be launching a blog very soon!
FREE TAX PREPARATION
PathWays PA offers FREE certified tax preparation at our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Free tax preparation is for taxpayers with an annual gross household income less than $50,000.
Keep your full refund and save your money:
- No tax preparation fees
- No E-filing Fees
- No check cashing fees
- Open a no-fee savings or prepaid debit card account
- Purchase a risk free US Saving Bond
- Find out it you're eligible for SNAP (food stamps)
Locations:
- Philadelphia County - 3617 Lancaster Avenue Philadelphia PA
- Delaware County - 310 Amosland Road Holmes PA
Call 610-543-5022 or 1-800-209-2914 to schedule your FREE tax appointment today!
PATHWAYS PA OFFERS ENGLISH LANGUAGE/CIVICS COURSES
PathWays PA is offering a course meant for those interested in learning and improving their English while also covering:
- United States History
- Work Skills
- Citizenship Process
- Employment
- Math
- Reading
WHEN: Mondays & Wednesdays - 9:30 - 12:00 OR Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 - 7:30
WHERE: Darby Borough Hall, 821 Summit Street, Darby PA
For more information about the class, please contact Kelly Binder at 610-543-5022 X 227 or kbinder@pathwayspa.org.
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